School Transport Behaviour Protocol

• Decision to suspend / withdraw a pupil / student from home to school transport due to unacceptable behaviour is made by the Transport Services Commissioning & Compliance Manager who must consult with the school and the relevant Service Area Manager(s).
• In the absence of the Transport Services Commissioning & Compliance Manager, the decision is made by the Head of Client Transport, consulting as above.
• In the absence of either person, a decision may be made by one of the Transport Services leadership team, consulting and informing all other relevant parties as above.

Upon notification to the Client Transport Team of the incident of unacceptable behaviour, an initial investigation will take place (in discussion with operator / school / parents, as necessary). The following actions may then be taken:

1. A written warning is sent to the parents / carers and copied to the school for information:

• Where misbehaviour continues, a 5 day suspension from home to school transport may be implemented
• Where misbehaviour still continues a 10 day suspension from home to school transport may be implemented

2. Continue on home to school transport pending further investigation

3 .Temporary suspension from home to school transport pending further investigation

4. The child / student may be withdrawn permanently from home to school transport

5. Immediate suspension / withdrawal from home to school transport

Where further investigation is being carried out this will be:

• Explained in writing to the parent / carer and school
• Completed in as prompt a timescale as possible, proportionate to the circumstances

The relevant officers will determine who should best investigate the matter.

The relevant officers will determine, in accordance with the decision process above, the period of suspension / withdrawal from home to school transport, but it should be proportionate to the incident(s) and consistent with the principles of the protocol.

During the period of suspension / withdrawal, steps should be taken by the parent, carer and pupil / student to address the unacceptable behaviour. The parent / carer, pupil / student (where reasonable) and school will be consulted by the relevant officers on arrangements for returning to transport.

An initial appeal may be made to the Transport Services Commissioning & Compliance Manager who will refer it to a senior Council officer who has had no previous involvement with the case. They will review the case promptly, but if the withdrawal from transport stands, any further appeals or concerns from the parent / carer will need to go through the Council’s formal feedback and complaints procedure.

Parents / carers will receive written notification and explanation of any decision to suspend or withdraw their child from transport. This will include details of the period of suspension / withdrawal from transport, return to transport procedure, options for appeal or feedback and complaints. This will also be copied to the school.

This Behaviour Protocol will be reviewed regularly and as necessary, and also following any changes to Council / Service Area structures. Updated versions will be published on the school transport policy webpage, as the most up to date and current version.